Steak 'N Shake Invite cancelled

The Steak 'N Shake Invitational, one of the state's top track and field meets, has been cancelled, Wharton coach Wes Newton confirmed Monday.

One reason is that Wharton girls coach Dan Mathis, one of the coaches who spearheaded the 75-team Tampa-area meet, has taken a leave of absence to accept a job with a U.S. security firm in Jerusalem, Israel. Another reason is that the meet conflicted with one of Hillsborough County's mandatory meets, the Nash Higgins Relays at Leto on Mar. 1.

The Steak 'N Shake Invite has brought together some of the top talent the past four years (at USF and then at Jefferson last year).

"Steak 'N Shake was one of the top five, top-three meets in the state," Newton said. "It's unfortunate for the local kids they won't have that opportunity."

Newton said he'll take over the Wildcats girls program, with help from several assistants - most notably, former 100-meter world record holder and Olympic medalist Calvin Smith. Boys coach Clarence Williams, who has been replaced with Virginia Diaz, will assist both teams, Newton said.

Joked Newton: "If I can get enough people to help out, I can just sit in the stands with an umbrella."

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

So.....they couldn't change the date, and with all of those assistants, couldn't figure out how to run a meet? Too bad. It should be moved back to where it was, near the end of April, and back to USF where it was an awesome meet. While it was all right last year, it was much better later in the season. And frankly, it ain't that hard to put on a meet, especially an established one. Too bad no one at Wharton is willing to do it.